New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-14
POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
LEGISLATION BEFORE CONGRESS.
AIR. BUrLxRs KEsOLUTION-MR. SAWYER STANDS
RIGHTS.

On HIS
rRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Dec. I3.--It looks as If the Postal
telegraph would be popular subject of legislation
ls the regulation Of Interstate Commerce was last
Iession. There have been dozen or more bills
introduced In tho Senate already, and when the
food gates of the House opened torrent may be
expected there Som OF those hllls provide for the
construction of lines by tho Government, that of
Snator Culom, for instance calling for trunk line
Of eight wires between the principal cities and branch
lines of four wires. Others provide for the con
domination and purchase OF existing limos at a fair
errTascmcnt. IL is understood. also, that resolu
ton will be offered for the appointment OF commits
sion Of experts TO visit Europe and examine into the
government telegraph systems of Great Britain and the
Continent. senator Frye, who was abroad last sum-
mcr. says that he has seen enough of governmental
management OF railways and canals TO convince him
that this coutry does not want anything OF the sort
Another senator says he in favor OF postal
telegraph IN this country until he tried the govern
ment service In Europe. There very few Senators
who actually believe In the practlcabny vi postal
Telegraph They acknowledge tho force IF the a'gu
mcnts against II. particularly one so often used that
TO buy or construct lnrs would simply Tux the
people the benefit of few who tho telegraph
II is estimated that not more than per cent of the
entire population of the country send one telegram a
year. but there is such howl about monop0lics that
some of the Senators seem to think that something
should DO done.
Mr.. Sawyer, of Wisconsin, TO day moved to recon-
slider the vote by which resolution introduced yes
rerday by Senator Butler Of South Carolina, was
adopted This resolution created new special
Committee for the purpose of considering postal tele
graph measures. and there surprise cX-
pressed at time that Republicans should allow such
Important legislation to drop into the hands Of the
give the Democrats the charmanships Of several com
ml,tccs In order that the senators of that party may
lave committee rooms I'm which TO work. but IL has
never been the habit to give them committees which
lutlrr becomes, according to the custom OF the
raphy. a subject that has been under consideration by
the Committee on Post Offices for SIX years; ms
transfer OF responsibility was made without tho CON
sent or the knowledge Of Mfr SAWYER The new
chairman of the Post ONicc Committee, who was
absent from the chamber al The time the resolution
was adopted Al a meeting ~ tho Post Office Com
mittcs his morning. Mr. sawyer was directed TO ent"
motion TO reconsider and both Republicans ald
DcmOcla united in the protest against being shorn
Of the most important duty rlry intended to under
take.
MIR. sawyer. who is very genial and mild hammered
aan. before he entered such H"'lon, went to pr
prtlcr 10 ask an explanation ~ Us unusual connnc,
The Senator from South Carolina throw the re
sponsilility upon Mr.. EdmandS saving hat all DC
wanted was a chairmanShip ard committee room,
for he was the only senator on The Democratic sd"
serving his second term who was without TINS al
Mr sawyer then, won't to W. Eimnnds who T Ga
mlcd that he had revised re nSont'oh w ,e Hr
iclnr that The Post ONCE Committee al The last scs
"@ h@ cn fc c s srbec " of postal cccpSy D
Nj. SAWYER reminded Mr.. Eimrnds ,hai ne was 70, ~,
tho chairman or Inc Io>' NlHF - ''
session and that tho composition OF the conim'uco
was materially changed 10 did not ser why ,hf
Srnatn or from vermont should object 20 his commute"
considering the Postal Telegraph I'LL IS hau aNtNS
had Jurisdiction over snch matters AMI even II II va
10 lc deprived of that jurSlic. on II was "n,Y faf
~ consult the committee before action was tach III
tho Senate. 49,, J., al.
IN. In MS scat and addressing tie chair ana Inc"
NJ SAWYER left him. 60.
ycr's motion was lad upon tic table. wen y -
talon up to morrow it may lead To an Interesting
fr'